A health care nonprofit in northeastern Washington will expand its reach in an underserved rural region, thanks to the legislation Congress passed to end the government shutdown on Nov. 12.

As part of the short-term spending bill to reopen the federal government, Congress approved funding for multiple projects in Washington requested by the state's representatives in the House and Senate, including $2 million for NEW Health’s Chewelah branch. Both Rep. Michael Baumgartner, R-Spokane, and Democratic Sen. Maria Cantwell requested funds for the clinic through the process formerly known as "earmarking," but Cantwell and most of her fellow Democrats voted against the legislation because it didn't address expiring health insurance subsidies.

Desiree Sweeney, NEW Health’s CEO, said the funds

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